David Attenborough: My Life in Sound
In the middle of making a new film about birds of paradise, David Attenborough talks to Chris Watson about his sound recording escapades across his 60-year career.
In an exclusive interview for Radio 4 David Attenborough talks to Chris Watson about his life in sound.
One of Sir David's first jobs in natural history film making was as a wildlife sound recordist. Recorded in Qatar, David Attenborough is with wildlife sound recordist Chris Watson, there to make a film about a group of birds he is passionate about, The Bird of Paradise. It is in Qatar where the worlds largest captive breeding population is and it is in this setting Chris Watson takes Sir David back to the 1950's and his early recording escapades, right through to today where David Attenborough narrates a series of Tweet of the Day's on Radio 4 across the Christmas and New Year period.
Last on
![]()
A selection of programmes from the Radio 4 archive
![]()
Tweet of the Day
British birds through their songs and calls. 265 programmes of 90 seconds, over a year.
Clips
-
![]()
Filming Birds of Paradise
Duration: 01:57
-
![]()
"I took a lot of trouble to record music"
Duration: 01:02
-
![]()
βBack in β54, I wanted to make some films in Africaβ¦"
Duration: 00:53
David Attenborough in action
Preparing to record and film
David Attenborough crouched down next to a parabolic reflector and recording equipment, with cameraman Charles Lagus - both primed ready to catch the object of their attention.Μύ Image courtesy of David Attenborough.
Sir David Attenborough with WTT founder Sir Peter Scott
Sir Peter Scott founded the Severn Wildfowl Trust (later Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust - WWT) in 1946. He was also a founder and the first chairman of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in 1961, and founder of many local and regional bodies from the Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation to Falkland Conservation.
This picture was taken in May 1962. Image courtesy of David Attenborough.
Μύ
(Information source: )
Gazing over a Slimbridge lake
Radio Times article about Chris Watson recording a solitary ant.
Wildlife sound recordist Chris Watson, is always searching for new and innovative ways to record sound.Μύ A explored Chris' remarkable insight into sound recording; including the capture of the sound of a solitary ant.Μύ The article also hasΜύsome exclusive audio clips and his feelings about music in wildlife shows.
Μύ
Download the programme for free
Broadcasts
- Mon 16 Dec 2013 11:00ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Sun 19 Jan 2014 13:30ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
Featured in...
![]()
Natural history on Radio 4—Natural Histories
A collection of programmes about natural history.
![]()
Sounds of Life
A pocketful of captivating sounds collected from science, nature and everyday life.
![]()
David Attenborough
A selection of programmes from the Radio 4 archive
